Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) Crisis Response Plan 2025

CRP last updated: March 20 2025
$30,000,000
Funding required
7,600,000
People in need
270,000
People Targeted
120
Entities targeted

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is committed to addressing root causes and mitigating impacts of crises and displacement through multi-sectoral programming. IOM aims to tackle the drivers of irregular migration and internal displacement, while reducing the risks and vulnerabilities faced by affected populations. IOM provides assistance primarily for mobile populations, including migrants, IDPs, and returnees, ensuring their immediate needs are met. Furthermore, it supports sustainable recovery, assisted safe and voluntary return and sustainable reintegration based on human rights principles, community stabilization, and durable solutions. This approach enhances humanitarian, peace building, and development efforts, empowering local actors as strategic partners.

A migrant woman returning to Venezuela receives entrepreneurship support in Rubio, Táchira State. © IOM 2024 / Mauro Medina

INFORM Risk

5.6, High 

INFORM Severity

4, High 

Human Development Index

119 of 193 

State of Fragility High fragility

In recent years, the humanitarian situation in Venezuela has worsened due to a protracted socioeconomic and political crisis, leaving vulnerable populations struggling to access basic services and livelihood opportunities necessary to meet the essential costs of living. As a result, many vulnerable families have been driven to resort to negative coping strategies, including selling assets, reducing their daily meals, and migrating either abroad or to Venezuela's border and mining regions in search of economic opportunities and access to essential resources. 

As reported by the 2023 Annual Report of the United Nations, Venezuela's economy has experienced modest growth in 2023, making the second consecutive year of growth. This was largely due to a nine per cent increase in oil production, resulting from the temporary suspension of certain measures by the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) in 2023. Despite the official minimum wage remaining at approximately USD 4 per month, the government has increased non-wage bonuses to USD 70 per month and enhanced social security pensions to USD 20. These adjustments represent a notable improvement in real income for a significant portion of the population. Additionally, a moderate relaxation of domestic credit restrictions has resulted in an uptick in bank loans. According to the Venezuelan Central Bank, Venezuela’s economy grew by 8.5 per cent in the first three quarters of 2024, mainly boosted by a 14.5 per cent increase in oil output (averaging 874,000 bpd in 2024) and a rise in the price of Venezuelan oil in the first half of the year compared to 2023.

IOM leads several humanitarian coordination efforts, including the Working Group for the Prevention and Response to Human Trafficking and the Camp Management and Camp Coordination Working Group. It also co-leads the Technical Working Group on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) and the Strategic Advisory Group of the Protection Cluster, which spearheads the Inter-agency Group on Human Mobility and Reintegration and actively participates in the Shelter Cluster, Protection Cluster, and the areas of responsibility (AoR) of Child Protection and Gender Based Violence (GBV). Through these initiatives, IOM has played a crucial role in the UN Network on Migration (UNNM) in Venezuela and has been instrumental in consolidating the Humanitarian Needs Overview (HNO), contributing to crisis response planning. 

The complementary nature of humanitarian and sustainable development responses has been a primary focus of the UN’s action. In 2022, the Venezuelan government signed the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) (2023-2026), which, along with the extension of the 2024-2025 Humanitarian Response Plan, forms the UN’s programmatic response in Venezuela, integrating the pillars of Humanitarian Action, Development, and Peace. Under this framework, IOM leads the UNNM in Venezuela, working alongside various UN agencies to foster inter-agency collaboration and implement the Global Compact for Migration (GCM). This includes facilitating consultations to integrate migration into the UNSDCF by incorporating initiatives that address migration-related issues.

 

At the local level, IOM actively participates in the Local Coordination Forums (LCF) established by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), which facilitates effective responses, coordination, and operational synergies on the ground. Additionally, IOM's sustained field presence has fostered strong relationships with local authorities, community leaders, and civil society, ensuring access to the most remote and vulnerable communities. 

 

IOM has established partnerships with over 20 local organizations and partners across the country, which have strengthened its response capabilities through a localized approach. Its operational capacity is further enhanced by the implementation of the Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM), which operates in over 335 municipalities, generating critical data on migration flows and needs assessments, including thematic reports such as on human trafficking, that inform the crisis response planning of various agencies and partners.

IOM has maintained a presence in Venezuela since 1952 and over the years, it has collaborated closely with key partners to address migration-related issues and humanitarian needs. IOM’s interventions include the establishment of a comprehensive assistance and protection network to respond to large-scale movements of people. IOM has successfully maintained an effective emergency response programme that reaches some of the most vulnerable and remote areas of the country, providing humanitarian assistance, mitigating protection risks and providing specialized protection services and early recovery programmes in 14 of the 23 states. Its strategy focuses on a human security perspective on migration, focusing on the humanitarian and protection needs of communities along migratory routes, as well as in transit and host areas, with particular emphasis on conflict sensitivity. In 2024 alone, IOM assisted over 97,167 individuals (14,532 girls; 13,587 boys; 39,522 women; 29,526 men) through multi-sectoral programmes encompassing shelter; camp coordination and camp management (CCCM); non-food items; protection specialized services (supporting survivors of violence, exploitation, abuse or neglect); promoting safe, dignified and right-based return, readmission, and sustainable reintegration; water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH); health; mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS); food security; and community stabilization activities.  
 
With its main office in Caracas, IOM operates sub-offices at the borders with Colombia and Brazil, in San Cristóbal and another in Santa Elena de Uairén (Venezuela-Brazil border), in addition to field offices across various states, including), Puerto Ayacucho (state of Amazonas), Puerto Ordaz/Ciudad Guayana (state of Bolivar), Maracaibo (state of Zulia) along with operational presences in Apure and Falcón states. 
 
IOM has consolidated a portfolio of 20 local and international partners, including women-led organizations , that guarantee adequate capacity with high standards, strengthening the response with a strong localization approach. 

IOM’s operational capacity has been complemented with the DTM, implemented in over 2,500 communities (14 states), generating and sharing information on migration flows, trends, multisectoral assessment, and monitoring risks within IOM, UN Agencies, international and national non-governmental organizations (I/NNGOs), donors, government counterparts and relevant partners.

IOM works closely with key authorities in Venezuela to address migration-related issues and, more recently, to respond to humanitarian needs arising from crises and large-scale movements, building a comprehensive assistance and protection network. 
 
IOM engages in political advocacy and provides technical support to government officials, strengthening capacities at both national and subnational levels. The Organization collaborates with authorities across several sectors of IOM’s Migration Crisis Operational Framework (MCOF); protection, focusing on counter trafficking activities and assisted voluntary return and reintegration (AVRR); CCCM and disaster risk reduction for civil defense authorities; health, mental health, and psychosocial support, as well as basic infrastructure for health authorities; and climate change initiatives. 

IOM Venezuela has also encouraged government's active participation in UNNM activities by organizing capacity-strengthening workshops and dialogues on migration governance, focused on consular protection, trafficking prevention, and climate-related mobility. Additionally, humanitarian assistance and reintegration programmes, including partnerships with municipalities in the State of Táchira, have improved the well-being of migrants and returnees at the local level, promoting partnerships with stakeholders under the pan-social approach. 
For 2025, IOM Venezuela has developed a Work Plan that aligns with the Venezuelan government's priorities and the GCM. This plan, set for governmental review, includes five key areas: consular protection for migrants, safe voluntary return and reintegration of returnees, governance of migration and international cooperation, disaster risk management related to climate change, and labour mobility policies.  

Key Operating Modalities
Participation and empowerment Conflict sensitivity Integrated Programming Collaboration and partnership Localization
Cross-cutting priorities
Data and evidence Protection Mainstreaming Gender Equality Prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse Disaster Risk Climate Change

Through strategic planning and a commitment to fostering strong, collaborative relationships, the Organization has achieved notable progress in its efforts. This progress is the outcome of a deliberate strategy focused on planning, actively engaging new partners, and inviting them to participate in various projects. Additionally, IOM has fostered more horizontal dialogue with partners, enabling the adaptation of projects to better align with their capacities and local contexts. This relationship has led to the creation of more opportunities for dialogue, communication, and feedback. Investments in time and resources have been directed towards strengthening the capacities of implementing partners in areas such as organizational development, economic and financial management, adherence to codes of conduct, prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA), accountability to affected populations, and the establishment of community feedback mechanisms. 

Over the past two years, IOM Venezuela has made significant progress in advancing localization efforts, emphasizing collaboration with local and national actors to enhance the impact and sustainability of its initiatives.

Objective 1 - Saving lives and protecting people on the move
Saving lives and protecting people on the move

$18,280,000
Funding required
160,000
People Targeted
70
Entities Targeted
Primary target groups
Internally displaced person
Local population / community
Internal migrant
International migrant
Refugee

IOM Venezuela will support vulnerable populations, particularly IDPs, migrants and returnees, by ensuring access to essential humanitarian assistance such as shelter, food, protection and health to meet their immediate needs and alleviate human suffering in transit, reception and collective centres across the country. These might be adapted as evacuation centres as part of preparedness activities for displacement due to sudden onset disasters. This approach includes strengthening protection mechanisms through community-based strategies that enhance safety and reduce threats and vulnerabilities for individuals at risk, particularly children and survivors of GBV and exploitation. Additionally, IOM aims to increase resilience by providing psychosocial support and mental health services. A conflict sensitive approach will be a key principle of IOM’s humanitarian response. Effective coordination among humanitarian actors and local authorities will be prioritized to ensure timely responses to the needs of people on the move, while data-driven approaches will inform interventions, ensuring they address the specific vulnerabilities of migrants and returnees, contributing to enhancing the quality of humanitarian assistance.

Objective 2 - Driving solutions to displacement
Driving solutions to displacement

$9,240,000
Funding required
95,000
People Targeted
44
Entities Targeted
Primary target groups
Internally displaced person
Local population / community
Internal migrant
Refugee
International migrant

IOM Venezuela supports displaced populations to progress towards durable solutions, focusing on both immediate needs and long-term recovery.  The Organization will also promote access to livelihoods, training in entrepreneurship initiatives and professional and vocational training for Venezuelan returnees. Key activities will include the development of comprehensive reintegration plans and capacity strengthening activities that address the unique circumstances of returnees and internally displaced people, ensuring they can rebuild their lives with stability and dignity. To ensure the effectiveness of these interventions, IOM will integrate a comprehensive root cause analysis, addressing the multi-dimensional factors driving migration and displacement. This approach enables more systematic and data-driven assessment, ensuring that interventions are tailored to the unique circumstances of returnees and internally displaced people. Furthermore, initiatives will be implemented to enhance community resilience and foster social cohesion, thereby mitigating tensions between home communities and returnees. By strengthening partnerships with local authorities and stakeholders, IOM seeks to enhance the overall capacity for community stabilization and (re)integration, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable resolution of displacement challenges, including preparedness activities for slow onset crisis and disaster risk reduction in vulnerable communities.

Facilitating pathways for regular migration
Facilitating pathways for regular migration

$2,480,000
Funding required
15,000
People Targeted
77
Entities Targeted
Primary target groups
Local population / community
Internal migrant
Refugee
International migrant

Recognizing protracted crisis as a key driver of irregular migration, IOM Venezuela focuses on enhancing access to safe and regular migration pathways while empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their migration options. Key activities will include information dissemination and provision of safe and regular migration pathways and legal requirements, along with community initiatives designed to raise awareness about available regular migration pathways and opportunities. The Organization will foster partnerships with local authorities and civil society to advocate for policies that enhance and expand regular migration pathways. By creating more accessible and transparent pathways, the aim is to provide safer alternatives to dangerous, irregular migration routes, reducing migrants' vulnerability to violence, exploitation, and other forms of abuse. Furthermore, IOM will incorporate a component focused on the protection of labour migrants, emphasizing ethical recruitment practices to prevent exploitation, forced labor, and human trafficking. This will include capacity strengthening for both government and private sector stakeholders to promote ethical recruitment practices and safeguard migrant workers from abuse and exploitation. 

In addition, IOM Venezuela contributes to safe voluntary return and sustainable and dignified reintegration of Venezuelans migrants. However, as more restrictive migration policies in host countries have led to an increase in voluntary returns, urgent assistance and stronger social protection systems are needed to assist the most vulnerable individuals throughout this process. The actual instability and weakness infrastructure and social services poses specific challenges for sustainable reintegration. To address these, support is provided through assisted voluntary return and post-arrival activities, covering essential services such as transportation to their community of origin within Venezuela, mental health and psychosocial support, food, hygiene products, and accommodation. 

Objective 1
Saving lives and protecting people on the move
$18,280,000
Funding required
[{"name":"Human suffering is alleviated","y":45},{"name":"Threats and vulnerabilities are reduced","y":35},{"name":"The quality of humanitarian assistance is enhanced","y":20}]
Objective 2
Driving solutions to displacement
$9,240,000
Funding required
[{"name":"Adverse drivers of displacement are minimized","y":50},{"name":"Displaced people are resilient and self-reliant","y":25},{"name":"Displaced people benefit from solutions","y":25}]
Objective 3
Facilitating pathways for regular migration
$2,480,000
Funding required
[{"name":"Channels for regular migration are sustainable and responsive","y":35},{"name":"Migration flows and cross-border mobility are well managed","y":15},{"name":"Migration policy and legal frameworks are aligned with international standards","y":35},{"name":"Migrants are protected from violence, exploitation and abuse","y":15}]

Percentage of funding required contributing to the long term outcomes expressed on IOM's Strategic Results Framework.

$2,000,000
Funding required
Related inter agency plans
H(N)RP UNSDCF

Protection principles will be mainstreamed across interventions to ensure safety and dignity, avoid causing harm and guarantee meaningful access to assistance for all the persons in need, without discrimination. IOM Venezuela's interventions focus on promoting respect, protection and fulfillment of the rights of migrants (including returnees, IDPs, as well as victims of trafficking, survivors of gender-based violence and migrant children facing child protection risks). Each programme promotes the mitigation of protection threats and the reduction of vulnerabilities, while also seeking to strengthen the capacities of individuals, communities and local authorities. IOM Venezuela provides support and technical advice to the government to improve its response to its obligations to protect and enforce the rights of the entire population.

IOM’s operations follow a rights-based approach, ensuring that all humanitarian assistance is delivered in a manner that upholds the rights and dignity of migrants.

$2,000,000
Funding required
[["Saving lives",75],["Solutions to displacement",13],["Pathways for regular migration",13]]
A migrant receives assistance at the CAT “Esperanza Venezuela” in San Antonio, Táchira State. © IOM 2024 / Mauro Medina
A migrant receives assistance at the CAT “Esperanza Venezuela” in San Antonio, Táchira State. © IOM 2024 / Mauro Medina
Basic needs, including food and multi-purpose cash assistance     Priority
$4,100,000 Funding required
Related inter agency plans H(N)RP
Camp coordination and camp management    
$700,000 Funding required
Related inter agency plans H(N)RP
Health     Priority
$5,000,000 Funding required
Related inter agency plans H(N)RP UNSDCF
Mental health and psychosocial support    
$1,400,000 Funding required
Related inter agency plans H(N)RP
Movement assistance    
$580,000 Funding required
Related inter agency plans H(N)RP
Protection     Priority
$2,100,000 Funding required
Related inter agency plans H(N)RP
Water, sanitation and hygiene    
$2,000,000 Funding required
Related inter agency plans H(N)RP UNSDCF
Shelter and settlements     Priority
$3,250,000 Funding required
Related inter agency plans H(N)RP
Data for action, insight and foresight     Priority
$2,000,000 Funding required
Related inter agency plans H(N)RP
Disaster risk management    
$1,600,000 Funding required
Related inter agency plans H(N)RP UNSDCF
Community stabilization and community-driven development    
$2,000,000 Funding required
Related inter agency plans H(N)RP
Livelihoods and economic recovery    
$2,800,000 Funding required
Related inter agency plans H(N)RP UNSDCF
Integrated policy support    
$100,000 Funding required
Related inter agency plans H(N)RP
Support services for response actors    
$210,000 Funding required
Related inter agency plans H(N)RP UNSDCF
Peacebuilding, violence and conflict reduction    
$80,000 Funding required
Related inter agency plans H(N)RP
Regular pathways    
$80,000 Funding required
Related inter agency plans H(N)RP
Operational presence in

Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of)

6
International staff and affiliated work force
99
National staff and affiliated work force
8
IOM field office

 

The map used here is for illustration purposes only. Names and boundaries do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by IOM.

Figures are as of November 2024. For more details of IOM's operational capacity in country, please see the IOM Capacity section.